PROGRESS OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 42

PROGRESS OF OTAGO.

ACTIVITIES OF EXPANSION LEAGUE. I The City Council had before it on the 28th a letter from the Otago Expansion League forwarding a copy of the constitution and objects ot the league. From these communications it was made apparent that 'in the opinion of the league the time was ripe for a definite forward move to secure the advaiicement of Otago.

The letter, which was signed by the president of the league (Mr C. Todd) and the secretary (Mr W. B. Steel), commended the aims and objects of the league to the favourable notice of the council, and stated that the executive felt assured that support would be accorded to the proposals therein contained. Now that the war was over Otago would have to be up and doing if it was to escape the ignominy of being the most backward province in the dominion. What was lacking was the educating of the people to understand the great heritage which their fathers had bequeathed to them, the enormous potentialities it contained, and the need for enthusiasm and energy in securing the best that we possessed. This educational process the league undertook to carry on, and it asked for the support and co-operation of the council. In the course of an accompanying circular the league placed before the council its claims to the support of all local bodies in the province with a view to its establishment throughout Otago. The object of the league was to promote the development and advance the interests of Otago. It was in no sense a city movement, and the promoters had always striven to make the interests of the country the primary object of its plan of campaign. Proceeding, the letter set forth a large number of the activities of the league during the last seven years, and went on to point out that nowthe war was over there was work Waiting to be done. By a special amendment secured during the last session of Parliament it was now made legal for every public body whose district was within or partly within the province of Otago to vote money for the support of the Otago Expansion League, and in that connection it was hoped that the interest of members of the council would bo stimulated by the brief summary of the league's activities which had been submitted. Hitherto Otago had never ■spoken with a united voice; never exerted its undoubted strength in promoting its interests. The league stood for the principle of co-operation,-and proposed to use it to the fullest extent. If a united move were made towards the goal achievement was assured.

On these letters being read Cr Green moved that they should be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report. This was seconded by Cr Walker and carried.